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For thousands of years, some individuals have achieved a form of immortality through preservation. Despite being deceased, advanced techniques enable autopsies to be conducted as though the person passed away recently—even if their death occurred millennia ago.
The practice of preserving human remains dates back to ancient civilizations before 5000 BC, over 7,000 years ago. Most of us are familiar with Egyptian mummies or have encountered preserved bodies, which serve as primary references for understanding post-mortem preservation. This exploration will cover both rudimentary ancient methods and sophisticated modern approaches, so brace yourself for an intriguing journey.
10. Traditional Wake and Burial (Using Formaldehyde)
When considering methods of preserving bodies, this is undoubtedly one of the first to come to mind. Formaldehyde has been the cornerstone of embalming since its discovery by German chemist August Wilhelm von Hofmann in the 1860s. While embalming techniques have evolved, formaldehyde remains the fundamental component.
Once bodily fluids and gases are drained, a series of chemicals are injected into the system, often followed by drying or freezing processes. Many cadavers are then coated with a waxy substance to form a protective barrier, inhibiting microbial growth. This remains the most widely used preservation method today, though its future is uncertain due to formaldehyde's toxic nature.
9. Egyptian Mummification
The ancient Egyptians popularized another well-known preservation technique—mummification. Whether through history lessons or films featuring actors like Brendan Fraser battling mummies, most of us are familiar with mummies. The meticulous process employed by Egyptian priests to preserve these bodies is nothing short of extraordinary.
The procedure began with washing the deceased in a mixture of palm wine and river water. Next, a cut was made along the torso to remove most internal organs, except the heart, which was left for spiritual purposes.
Following this, the brain was extracted through the nasal cavity using a slender hook. The body was packed with natron, a salt-based mixture, and left to dehydrate for approximately 40 days. Afterward, the body was cleansed again and meticulously wrapped in oiled linen bandages, creating the iconic mummified appearance.
8. Primitive Mummification
For over 7,000 years, the Chinchorro people thrived in fishing villages along the coasts of present-day Chile and Peru. Long before the ancient Egyptians, the Chinchorro practiced mummification. Unlike the Egyptians, their method was not exclusive to the elite; it was applied to all members of society, including children and the elderly, though their techniques differed significantly.
This gruesome procedure started with the removal of the head, skin, and organs using a stone blade. The brain was then crushed and extracted through the nose, much like the Egyptian method. Finally, the skull cavity was stuffed with a mixture of straw and ash.
Next, the head was affixed to a bundle of sticks serving as a central support, and the body was wrapped around it using plant fibers as ties. This created a durable spinal structure for stability.
The finishing steps involved filling the remaining body cavities with a paste made of grass and ash. A potter then applied a facial coating, which could be molded into expressive features, before the entire surface was covered in black manganese paint.
7. Cryonics
Cryonics involves preserving a body post-death with the hope of future resurrection using advanced technology and medical breakthroughs. The process starts by notifying a cryonics facility, which must act swiftly to reach the deceased. (Timing is critical in this process.)
The body is promptly administered a series of injections to minimize brain damage and then encased in ice before transportation to the cryonics facility. Upon arrival, the body is cooled, and its blood is replaced with a specialized preservation solution. Additional injections prevent ice crystal formation, after which the body is stored in a nitrogen tank at a frigid -196 degrees Celsius (-321 °F).
Alcor is one of the leading organizations in this field. The base cost for an individual is $200,000, with annual family membership fees totaling around $1,000. While this may appear exorbitant, Alcor proudly reports that over 150 individuals have undergone cryopreservation.
6. Mellification
This is where things take a strange turn. Mellification was an unconventional embalming method that utilized honey instead of traditional fluids. Dating back to before 300 BC, it was used to preserve figures like Alexander the Great. Surprisingly, this method was scientifically sound, as experts acknowledge honey's remarkable tissue-preserving properties.
Thanks to its high sugar concentration, honey functions similarly to salt by dehydrating microbes and bacteria, effectively killing them. When combined with the antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide, which is naturally present in small amounts in honey, it creates an unexpectedly effective embalming agent.
The Assyrians of Mesopotamia were among the ancient civilizations known to employ this preservation method.
5. Plastination (Medical Action Figures)
Plastination involves replacing the water and fat in a corpse with durable plastics, significantly extending its preservation. This technique allows exhibits like Body Worlds to showcase cadavers that can be handled without odor or decay, all without the use of hazardous embalming chemicals.
S10 plastination, the pinnacle of plastination techniques, was pioneered by Gunther von Hagens in 1977. The process begins with the application of various fixative solutions to prepare the cadaver. Following this, the body is dehydrated, eliminating water and fat using alcohol or acetone.
The cadaver then undergoes 'forced impregnation,' where polymers and plastics are infused into the body through temperature adjustments and vacuum processes. The final step involves 'curing,' where the body is exposed to a gaseous hardener for several weeks to solidify the materials.
Though intricate, this method provides medical students with unparalleled access to real anatomical specimens, offering invaluable learning opportunities in the field of medicine.
4. Frozen In Time
Whether due to misfortune or a sinister murder, this individual’s preservation is remarkable. Known as Otzi, the iceman was found in a glacier, where he had been entombed in ice for over 5,000 years.
What sets Otzi apart from other ancient mummies is the preservation of his internal organs. Unlike the Egyptians and Chinchorro, who removed organs during mummification, Otzi’s organs remained intact due to his sudden death. This allowed scientists to analyze the air he breathed and the food he consumed.
His story contrasts sharply with cryonics, where bodies are preserved for potential future revival. Otzi, however, is undeniably deceased. Despite this, his preservation continues to be one of history’s most fascinating enigmas.
3. The Mystery Of Xin Zhui
Around 178 BC, Xin Zhui, a prominent figure in the Chinese Han dynasty, passed away at approximately 50 years old. Her burial process, though seemingly bizarre, proved astonishingly effective. When her 2,100-year-old body was unearthed, it was so well-preserved that an autopsy could be performed as if she had died recently.
The discovery of Xin Zhui began in a somewhat familiar fashion. Her coffins were uncovered about 15 meters (50 ft) below ground. Notably, she was buried in multiple coffins, each nested within a larger one.
Xin Zhui’s body rested within four progressively smaller coffins, each fitting snugly inside the next. She was adorned in 22 dresses and nine ribbons, ensuring she was prepared for any occasion in the afterlife.
The most enigmatic aspect was the fluid preservative that kept her body remarkably flexible. To this day, the exact composition and method of application remain unknown. The secrets of her preservation appear to have been buried with her, adding to the mystery of this ancient figure.
2. Cinnabar In Europe
The earliest evidence of artificial preservation in Europe was discovered in Palencia, Spain. At this burial site, 5,000-year-old human bones were deliberately covered with crushed cinnabar to aid in their preservation.
While embalming and body preservation were not widespread practices in Europe during this period, several signs suggest this instance was deliberate. The most compelling evidence: The burial site was far from any cinnabar mine, yet hundreds of kilograms of the substance were used to coat the bones.
1. Leonardo Da Vinci And Some Wax
Beyond his many remarkable skills, Leonardo da Vinci was also a renowned anatomist. He conducted pioneering research on human anatomy and openly admitted to working on numerous cadavers.
Da Vinci meticulously documented his method for preserving the bodies he studied. His embalming fluid recipe included turpentine, camphor, lavender oil, vermilion, wine, rosin, sodium nitrate, and potassium nitrate. While similar to other techniques, his approach had unique elements.
Later, da Vinci developed a deep interest in the heart, using wax injections to preserve it for detailed examination. He applied wax to the ventricles to better understand and theorize about blood flow through the heart.
Though not the most advanced method, this technique enabled da Vinci to achieve significant anatomical discoveries during his era.
